One of the most anticipated days of the high school football season finally arrived as pairings for 317 teams were announced this
evening for the 42nd Annual IHSAA Football State Tournament presented by the Indianapolis Colts.
For the second year, Class 6A will be used for the 32 largest schools in the state. With all eight of those
sectionals including four teams each, sectional semifinal games will be played on Oct. 24, sectional
championship games on Oct. 31 followed by regionals on Nov. 7 and semi‐states on Nov. 14. The two teams
competing in the state championship game will have a week off before playing for the title.
In 5A, with the next 34 largest teams competing, two first round games must be played in sectionals 9 and 13
on Oct. 24 that contain five teams each. All other 5A teams will have a week off until sectional semifinals are
played on Oct. 31 followed by sectional championship games on Nov. 7.
Teams in classes 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A will begin with first round sectional games on Oct. 24 and will play on
consecutive weeks all the way to the state championship games.
The 12 teams that earn a berth in the state finals will play on Thanksgiving weekend in Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL’s
Indianapolis Colts, the state tournament’s presenting sponsor. The state championship games will alternate from last year as the
Class 2A, 4A and 6A games will be played on Friday, Nov. 28 while the 1A, 3A and 5A contests are set for Saturday, Nov. 29.
Sectional 18 (8 teams)
First Round
G1: South Bend Riley at Kankakee Valley.
G2: New Prairie at South Bend Clay.
G3: Plymouth at South Bend Washington.
G4: Hobart at South Bend St. Joseph.
Semifinals
Game 5: Winner of G1 vs. Winner of G2.
Game 6: Winner of G3 vs. Winner of G4.
Championship
Game 7: Winner of G5 vs. Winner of G6
